City hopefuls engage in tame debate

For the current election season, Wednesday's public forum for Ely's mayoral and city council candidates was an anomaly.Disagreements were mild, debate was civil, the audience was respectful and polite.And in clear contrast to ongoing state and federal races, animosity was hard to spot.Mayor Frank Salerno and challenger Roger Skraba, along with eight contenders for three city council positions, exchanged ideas and opinions - and found much common ground - during a two-hour forum at Vermilion Community College.The sharpest comments in the event attended by about 55 people came from two of the candidates hoping to unseat incumbents.Louis Kotzian, an employee in the city's public works department, called for new blood in city office."It's time for a change," said Kotzian. "We need a new council. There are a lot of new people up here willing to serve you."Skraba, meanwhile, said he'd deliver a new brand of leadership and called for improvement in city government, from the council down to city employees."I'd like to get the employees from the supervisors on down to put more pride into helping our community," said Skraba. "Somewhere along the line there's been a disconnect between the council and employees. We set the standard and it trickles down."Those remarks were the exception rather than the rule during the forum, during which all candidates responded to questions turned in by members of the audience.There was nearly unanimous support for last week's council decision to commit $112,000 for the design phase of a proposed $7 million joint public works garage.However, Kotzian had spoke out against the project at previous council meetings. The city would be on the hook for over $2 million in expenses if the project moves forward, but most of the candidates support city investment."Can we afford to do it?" asked council candidate Robin Mathews. "My answer would be can we afford not to do it. We've got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a brand-new facility."Council member Mark Zupec called the garage project, which would free more than 20 acres of city-owned land for potential development "a phenomenal opportunity."'We've got to find the money to do this," said Zupec.Both mayoral candidates supported the plan, while some of the council hopefuls said their support would hinge on whether or not the city can obtain grant funding to bring down its financial obligation."We can't keep passing up opportunities brought to us by our legislators or county commissioners," said council candidate Chuck Novak. "I am opposed to $2 million in general fund dollars for this project."Council member Jerome Debeltz voted for the project last week, but he said he'd reverse course if no grant funding can be secured.Both Kotzian and fellow council candidate Pat Osaben said they oppose city involvement because of the cost and likelihood that taxes and city utility bills would increase because of it.Candidates were asked to name their top priorities should they win office.Salerno responded that building the area's job base and maintaining current city services were pivotal."I will strive as hard as I can to make sure services are delivered," said Salerno.Kess said that the city must move forward with initiatives aimed at boosting technology-based employment, and he also called for another attempt at a local sales tax."We could invest 25 cents and get a dollar in return," said Kess. "I don't think we should give that (effort) up."According to Zupec, annexation is vital to grow the city's tax base."It's the next logical step for the community," said Zupec.Council hopeful David Schmidt said that Ely can't rely solely on tourism and called for development of a water park that would include indoor and outdoor pools as well as water slides. He'd also like to reduce the city council from six to four members, saving the city $9,600 per year.In a question directed only to the mayoral candidates, both Salerno and Skraba said they want to see living wage requirements for any business that would locate in the JobZ tax-free zones in Ely."But you really do have to define living wage," said Salerno. "I do think you have to take into consideration benefits that may be involved as well."There was unanimous support for Ely's public library, although Kotzian said that he'd like to see it consolidated with the library at VCC.Novak, an Ely native who moved back here two years ago after a career that included 35 years in the computer industry, said the library was an important community asset."I don't think anybody should be deprived of the research materials or the reading materials," said Novak.Kess said that the city made the library a priority by opting to fill a position there that was vacated by retirement, and by reaching agreement with neighboring entities Winton and Morse Township - through the Ely Area Joint Powers Board - for library budget support.Recent city budget woes were addressed and Mathews said the council has trimmed around the edges of the budget rather than working to reduce its largest expense - wages and benefits for city employees."The big ticket item is wages and benefits," said Mathews. "If you can save two percent, now there's more money that could go to the library or (Ely Area Development Association)."Candidates were behind efforts to help businesses grow or expand, and Osaben said that the city should make tax breaks and free land available to entrepreneurs.Kess said that the city has an asset in its human resources - people with a strong work ethic.According to Novak, the city should advertise its quality of life and the low cost of living.Zupec called for use of storefront rehabilitation loans and taking advantage of contacts at the state and federal level.Kotzian said he'd bring a connection between the council and the city's public works and utility operations and said that the council needs to upgrade its public works equipment and improve its infrastructure.He also said the city must keep taxes and fees down to aid seniors and others on fixed or low incomes.Schmidt, who recently moved to Ely with his family, said the council is in need of new thought processes and ideas."My opinion is that the problem is fear, fear of change," said Schmidt.He asked those in attendance to imagine an Ely with a new Pamida store, more jobs and with population back at the 5,000 level.During the closing remarks, Kess said he's been a council member who has the courage to stand up for his convictions. He also praised the current council for making difficult decisions, including the move to eliminate emergency dispatch service."If we hadn't, we'd have been a quarter of a million dollars in deficit," said Kess.Mathews said he admired those with convictions, but that he'd put aside his feelings on an issue if his constituents disagreed."I'd set my convictions aside because I'm representing you," said Mathews.Debeltz told the group that he felt he has made Ely a better place, not only by working on the council, but by volunteering in the community."I believe a good person will work in the community and make it a better place to live," said Debeltz. "I don't believe I'm a politician. I believe I'm a representative of the people."The debate had several light moments. Most panel members said they were reluctant to guess why there were no women candidates in the field."Maybe they're smarter than us," said Schmidt.And when asked when the last time he was in the library, Kotzian said it was while he was on the job."The last time I was at the library it was to vacuum the floor and clean the windows," said Kotzian.Wednesday's forum was sponsored by the Ely Rotary Club and the Arrowhead Association of University Women, in conjunction with VCC, the Ely Echo, Ely Timberjay and WELY Radio.